Globalization is Shaping our Lives - Essay Example

Topic contribution of functionalists accounts towards an explanation of the family Introduction Functionalist approaches to sociology bear similarity with other approaches to sociology. However, functionalist approaches tend to lay more emphasis on function, equilibrium, consensus, interdependence and evolutionary theory. Functionalism tends to focus on the macro-sociological perspective of the existing institutional structures in the society. The functional part of the ‘structural functional approach’ lays emphasis on the positive contribution made by the different parts of the society that causes it to function as a whole. The functionalism theory is an attempt at explaining how the different parts of a system relate to each other, and to the whole system as a whole. As such, these parts tend also to function in an orderly manner, with minimal conflict. Even when the different parts are not in equilibrium (which they usually are in), their interrelationship is one of consensus, rather than conflict. In this regard, the role of functionalists is to examine social phenomena and its significance to society as a whole (Murdock 1949). The emergence of functionalism as an anthropology school of thought came about in the twentieth century. The development of functionalism at that time is especially credited to two renowned anthropologists of the Great Britain; A. R. Radcliffe-Brown, and Bronislaw Malinowski. In this regard, functionalism as a theory sought to check on the excesses of the nineteenth century diffusionists and evolutionary theories, as well as the theory of historicism later in the twentieth century (Goldscmidt 1996). Radcliffe-Brown argued that society acts as a system for the maintenance of relationships, and such a society is able to maintain itself through what he called ‘cybernetic feedback’. The contribution of functionalists accounts towards an explanation of the family Functionalists hold the argument that the nuclear family is capable of fulfilling many roles which have an impact on the larger society. One of the functionalists, Parsons, believes in the contemporary role of the family; the instrumental role of the male, and the expressive role of the female. Whilst the male works as a bread winner, the female gives care and emotional support to the husband and children. Although the argument sounds sexist, a majority of the nuclear families applies this contemporary role. Murdock, on his part, believes that the nuclear family should be of benefit to the larger society. In this regard, his functionalists’ ideas are based on the stable personality of adult, whose role it is educated the children about the values and norms of the society. Several scholars have been credited with the development of the theory of functionalism in the family. However, Talcott Parsons, an American sociologist, have been regarded as an advocate of the school of thought of the structure of structure-functionalist in modern times. Parsons’ real contribution to functionalism happened after 1945, following his recognition of the fact that actors, rather than existing in isolation tend to interact around a social system (Parsons 1951). From this line of thought, Parsons made a logical contribution to the sociology of the family. He proposed that the family is a subset of the society, rather than an independent society. In addition, Parsons argued that the roles of the family interpenetrate with those found on other structures of the society. Parsons saw the nuclear family as being a result of differentiation of the axes of power/hierarchy and expressive/instrumental functions. Parsons’ view of the family from an evolutionary perspective led family sociologist to hold a popular generalisation that the industrialisation and urbanisation of a family leads to the withering away of the extended family. According to Burch (1967), societies have taken this generalisation as a guide to the fact that extended families are more predominant in rural areas, as opposed to the urban areas. It has been the view of societies that extended families that enjoy cross-cultural ties are also more prominent in less-developed countries, in comparison to their developed counterparts. In general, the structural-functionalism, and especially the contribution of Parsons has received criticism on grounds of conservative bias. Nevertheless, its emphasis on society’s systemic view is a source of strength for the theory, given that it is used as a basis for other theories in sociology, as well as other disciplines, and in particular , psychology. Parsons has postulated a functional relationship between other societal institutions and the family. According to parsons, the evolvement of these institutions leads top their adapting to social and physical conditions of production. The gradual disappearance of the nuclear system, as well as the egalitarian ethos relating to marital relationships, has led to an emergence of global family forms that are varied. Such a variation can be traced to technological land economic changes in the wake of the current day information and communication technology. For instance, access to higher education, mechanisation and electric power have acted to reduce human muscle power dependence, while also leading to expanded job opportunities for both men and women alike. Functionalism and feminism The theory of functionalism has received attacks form feminists, who have taken it to task for its conservatism with respect to gender arrangements. Specifically, the functionalism under a scathing attack is that which bears association to Talcott Parsons, who employed a model of functionalist in his theory of social action. feminists have specifically accused Parsons of justifying the dominance of males by way of depicting an ‘instrumental role’ for men (occupational) and ‘an expressive role for women’ (domestic) as a form of labour division, and which also supposedly posed as a function for the solidarity of the family (Johnson, 1993). Parsons was also attacked for his insistence on the fixed nature and desirability of the 1950s ‘ideal nuclear family’. Myths vs. functionalists The insistence by Branislaw Malinowski about myths serving as a social action charter, led to his being labelled as a functionalist. Since then, other myth scholars have also addressed the same issue. According to Paul Radin, an anthropologist and folklorist, the functions and implications of myths, as determined by individual members of the society, is what makes them to be distinctive. Accordingly, the makers of myths use symbolic language to explain the social structure of a society, such as the family (Magoulick 2008). Myths also encourage and explain the good actions that are found within a society. For this reason, many theorists are of the opinion that myths do indeed bear a functional dimension. Liberal critique of the functionalist theory of the family Family structure-functionalism, according to the theory of Parsons, has had an immense contribution on the study of the family system. Nevertheless, this form of analysis has received sharp criticism, spanning from the 1950s, from liberal scholars. Such scholars viewed the family functionalist model as a form of conservatism, with such criticism being based on methodological and theoretical perspectives. With regard to the family, it is the view of such critics that functionalism of the family becomes only ideal from the perspective of the nuclear and isolated western family, with respect to other family forms. Even within the family institution, the structure- functionalist theory is seen as a justification of gender inequalities, and also among the generations. aside form the political conservative ideological problem, functionalism also takes into account the nuclear family system evolution in societies of the western world, and which have been found wanting on grounds of history. Through the analysis of birth and death records of parishioners in western and northern European countries in the wake of the 17th century, some historical demographics scholars from Cambridge University have opined that the most dominant domestic unit for families in the western countries has been the nuclear family. The imbedding of the ‘dual sphere’ in the structural functionalism and sociological perspective of a family during the 1940s and 50s led to the assigning the assignment of the division of labour on the basis of gender, and the recognition of the importance of the nuclear form of family. From the ideological perspective of a breadwinner/homemaker, the distinction in the labour division within a household is a core element of an ideal family, as well as the sharing of authority between wives and husbands, and their children. Functions of childbearing and rearing best suits a nuclear family setting, and in which the husband is the bread winner of the family, while the wife takes the responsibility of providing of the emotional stability and socialization of the children (Murdock, 1949). Although the views of functionalists may be different, their views on family themes are nevertheless similar. For instance, all three are of the opinion that a nuclear family is the most ideal family system for a healthy society. Despite functionalists tending to ignore other family adversities, their views however bear strength, like in the case of a healthy society (Murdock, 1949). Again, when children are raised in line with the values and norms of the society, then a healthy and sustainable society is created. Conclusion In as much as the functionalists have backed the idea of a nuclear family, nevertheless they have also received criticism. Feminists believe that Parsons’ contemporary role is also stereotypical, and that it does not bear a true meaning to all the families (Goldschmidt 1996). The contemporary role has also received criticism form other people, who feels that the theory has failed to recognize the place of single parents, and those who practice cohabitation. Functionalists have also been accused of creating ‘a picture that is too harmonious for a nuclear family’. Functionalists have failed to address the issue of minor conflicts that are so common in families, and which often resonate and end up causing family break-ups when left unattended. The nuclear family may be the best form of a family setting to constitute a healthy society, but there is also a diversity of other family institutions that also plays a pivotal role in benefiting the society. Single parent have time and again proved that they are capable of socializing their children to the expected values and norms of the society, despite the prevailing economic conditions. Ultimately, several aspects of the functionalist family will prove acceptable, but it is also prudent to appreciate the criticism that they receive, as they too, are valid. Bibliography Burch T. K. (1967) The size and structure of families: a comparative analysis of census data. American journal of sociology 32(3): 347-363. Giddens, A (2000). Runaway world: how globalization is shaping our lives. New York: Routledge. Goldschmidt, Walter.1996. Functionalism. In Encyclopedia of Cultural Anthropology, Vol 2. David Levinson and Melvin Ember, Eds. New York: Henry Holt and Company. Johnson, M.M. (1993). Functionalism and feminism: is estrangement necessary? In Paul England, editor? In Paul England, editor, Theory on Gender/feminism on Theory, New York, Aldine de Gruyter. Laslett P & Wall R (Eds) (1972). Household and family in the past. Cambridge: Cambridge university press. Magoulick, M. (2008). What is a myth? [Online]. Available at: http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~mmagouli/defmyth.htm#Functionalism Retrieved October 23, 2008. Murdock, G.P. (1949). Social Structure. New York: Macmillan. Parsons, T (1951). The social system. New York: Free Press Parsons, T. (1955). "The American Family: It’s Relation to Personality and to the Social Structure.pp. 3-13 in Family, Socialization, and Interaction Process edited by T. Parsons and R.F. Bales. New York: Free Press. Sjober, G. (1960). The pre-industrial city: past and present. Glencoe, Illinois: The Free Pres Read More